Copper thieves cause Camp Washington chemical leak

Some homes evacuated

UPDATED 9:42 AM EST Jan 01, 2013

CINCINNATI -

Copper thieves are a likely cause of a chemical leak in Camp Washington overnight.

Cincinnati Fire Chief Dave Greve said a medic unit returning from a call noticed a cloud of nitrogen gas coming from a liquid nitrogen tank at Queen City Steel Treating in the 2900 block of Spring Grove Road just before 2:30 a.m.

Greve said some homes were evacuated, while other residents were told to stay upstairs in their homes, because nitrogen gas in high quantities can replace the oxygen in the air and create a potential suffocation risk.

Greve said he believed copper thieves may have ruptured a line to the gas tank, which once held 1,500 gallons of liquid nitrogen, but by 6 a.m. had less than 200 gallons left.

Greve said the remaining nitrogen will evaporate from the tank over the next 36 hours, but will not be a danger to residents.

The incident remains under investigation.

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